Category: Anthology

A Lass For Christmas by Jane Charles featured in the anthology “A Scandalous Christmas” by Various Authors

On By TracyIn Anthology, Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Scandalous ChristmasA Lass for Christmas by Jane Charles, featured in A Scandalous Christmas by Various Authors

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Tenacious Trents #4 & Several Anthologies

Release Date for Anthology: November 24, 2020

I first read this novella years ago when it debuted in the Tenacious Trent series, since then it has been featured in several anthologies and even after all this time – I love this story and was delighted to see that it was included in this anthology.

Lady Madeline Trent and her mother, Rose have stopped to visit her brother Matthew and his new wife on their way to Danby Castle for Christmas and she couldn’t be more delighted. After a disastrous first season and then a missed season due to mourning, she is finally looking forward to meeting a gentleman and starting her own life. But those dreams are shattered when she overhears Matthew and her brother Jordan talking to Rose (their 2nd stepmother). They tell her that they have learned that they have learned that their father’s second wife and daughter, are not dead as everyone thought and they believe Adele and Julia are back in England. This means that the Earl’s marriage to Rose was not valid and Madeline is illegitimate! Overwhelmed by the news, Madeline needs to think and decides to sneak out and go for a walk. She ventures out and gets lost, she sees lights and comes upon a manor house – nearly freezing, she makes her way to the house, but doesn’t realize she is walking across a frozen pond and breaks through the ice.

Lachlan Grant, the Marquess of Brachton is at his estate in England, he inherited the English title from his uncle, but in his heart, he is a Scot and he plans find a Scottish bride. His plan to leave is thwarted by a snowstorm and forces him to delay his departure until the snow stops. He is enjoying a drink with his friend/valet Dougal when he spots a woman walking on his lawn and to his horror, sees her fall through the ice. He races out to save her, she is barely conscious when he finally gets her into the house and he has no choice but to undress her and try to get her warm – he asks her name and she tells him it is Mad before passing out – he thinks she is trying to say Maddie. The next day the misunderstanding grows when she tells him she was traveling with Jordan Trent – a friend of his – but doesn’t mention she is his sister. Lachlan assumes she is Jordan’s mistress and decides to seduce her away from him.

This is a well written, nicely paced novella with very likable characters, warm love scenes and a surprisingly in-depth emotional story. This novella is part of the Tenacious Trent series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and received from the publisher. All opinions are my own.*

The Highlander’s Christmas Lassie by Anna Campbell Featured in the Anthology: Have Yourself a Merry Little Scandal by Various Authors

On By TracyIn Anthology, Author Collaboration Series, Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Scottish/Highlander, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

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The Highlander’s Christmas Lassie by Anna Campbell

Tracy’s Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Series: Have Yourself a Merry Little Scandal Anthology

Release Date: October 9, 2020

Malcolm Innes, Laird of Dun Carron, is traveling to the town of Muirburgh in December because Fergus Mackinnon, Laird of Achnasheen told him that he might find what he has spent the last 18 years looking for – his son!  But when he finally makes it to the farmhouse, he finds much more than he was hoping for – not only is his son alive and well but so is the woman he has never stopped loving, even after he was told she was dead!  But rather than be thrilled to be united with her love, Rhona Macleod is angry and tells him to leave.  Stunned that she is alive, he agrees to go, but he will be back.  He prepares to go when his son Patrick intervenes and tells him that he can stay in the barn and that he will try to talk to his mother. 

Rhona is furious, how dare Malcolm show up and pretend to be happy to see her?  He is the reason she was sent away from Dun Carron!  When she calms a bit, she brings a meal out to the barn and they talk.  Soon it becomes clear, they were both betrayed that day and she is amazed to learn that he has never married and has spent the last 18 years looking for Patrick because he was told that Rhona was dead.  But even with this revelation, Rhona is not convinced that this is the miracle that Malcolm believes it is – 18 years is a long time and she is not the same girl he knew – can they pick up the pieces of their broken love and have a second chance at happiness?

I loved this story, it is part of the anthology “Have Yourself a Merry Little Scandal” that I can’t wait to finish reading! The story reminded me of the book Betrayed by Bertrice Small, however, this novella is definitely its own tale, but, if you liked that book – you will LOVE this novella.  It is a well written, nicely paced story complete with a crushing betrayal that tears them apart, warm love scenes, revelations, surprises, a love that never died, a HEA and a sweet epilogue.  This is story has a tie-in to the Lairds Most Likely series, but it is definitely a standalone title.  This novella is part of an anthology, but even if it is the only story you read in the collection – it is worth the money you paid for this story alone!   

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me.*